Live sports reward streamers with user acquisition: Exclusive events create can't-miss moments that offer engagement and advertising opportunities.
FIFA rights draw bidders: Netflix, Disney, and YouTube weigh $1.5B+ World Cup bids as tougher US kickoff times cloud the investment.
Brands are adjusting to a different setting for this year's FIFA World Cup, as fans of the tournament, which runs through July 19, follow the action on a highly fragmented array of channels, forcing brands to come up with creative ways to engage them. “Hosting the tournament in North America, specifically in the States, is pulling fans decisively off traditional broadcast and into digital and connected TV (CTV) to follow along,” said Rod Paolucci, global head of marketing at Channel Factory. In addition to streaming the games on a big screen, many viewers will be checking social media and other feeds on a mobile second screen.
Netflix adds more short-form video offerings: New publisher deals could fill in content gaps and help it compete for daily attention beyond binge viewing.
Sony shows digital purchases have limits: Deleting content consumers bought could lead them to question digital bundles, purchases, and media offers.
Show-level data changes CTV buying: Real-time program performance lets marketers compare CPA by show and adjust campaigns before they end.
Time spent on Netflix is crawling: Show viewership plummets during second seasons, and other video offerings aren’t driving attention.
NBCUniversal proves holiday TV still works: NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo drew 11.2M viewers, showing multi-platform events can extend reach beyond primetime.
TikTok turns microdramas into ad inventory: Growth Max lets brands build or sponsor episodic content as viewers watch ads to unlock more episodes.
Media splits test marketers: Comcast and NBCU’s breakup could alter premium video buying, putting upfronts and bundles under scrutiny.
The same social media video behaviors that shape other purchases are influencing their health and wellness choices.
YouTube Shorts streamlines the user experience: 2x playback, Clean Screen, and simpler feedback tools could fuel longer sessions and sharpen ad targeting.
Omnicom and NBCU refine CTV at Cannes: Partnership ties Acxiom data to show-level context, but must prove results beyond better targeting.
TikTok audiences watch just 21% of the average branded video, meaning 4 out of 5 viewers drop off before the end, according to a March report from Dash Social.
Google expands YouTube tools: New creator, trend, and AI insights tie planning, content, and ads into one fuller-funnel workflow.
Peacock TV was the only major streaming service to grow its average daily household viewing time, climbing from 2.0 to 3.0 hours between December 2025 and February 2026 to tie Netflix and Hulu, according to a February survey from Comscore.
Amazon Fire TV courts creator fans: A new Creator Hub boosts discovery, keeps viewing in Amazon’s ecosystem, and expands CTV ad opportunities.
TikTok puts AI in charge: Symphony Agent turns trend spotting, creator sourcing, and ad creation into a faster, AI-led workflow.
Pause ads command attention: New data shows programmatic pause-screen placements draw nearly double the attention of standard CTV ads.
Omnicom, Netflix announce partnership at Cannes Lions: Acxiom data fuels sharper Netflix targeting, but creative—not data alone—will decide whether ads connect.